Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
FOLK ART STYLE
Folk art is a genre of art that shares the creator’s traditions, offering not just an artistic display but an opportunity to learn about a culture. Antique, new and vintage folk art typically reflects a heritage or location. It can include utilitarian objects and handmade art as diverse as weather vanes, duck decoys, portraiture and paintings, carnival art and quilts.
Quilts are a quintessential part of American folk art but their roots are international, with quilting dating back to Ancient Egypt. The practice spread to Europe and was especially prominent in the Middle Ages, with one of the oldest surviving examples being the Tristan quilt made in Sicily in the 14th century. They were made as bedcovers and clothing, including as a layer for knights to wear beneath their armor. Native American folk art includes functional objects reflecting their heritage, such as baskets, textiles and wooden pieces.
Elsewhere, the vast range of work associated with Mexican folk art includes masks made by Mexican craftspeople for traditional celebrations and ceremonial dances. Mexican masks are part of the country’s folk-art traditions that go back thousands of years and play a role in festivals and theater.
Works in the folk art tradition are valuable because of the skills involved, like weaving, hand-carving wood and even stonework. Many folk artists are self-taught, while some train as apprentices within their community. By using available materials and taking a personal approach to their creations, artists ensure each piece is unique and conveys a story.
During the Great Depression, artistic materials in America were hard to come by, so artisans used discarded wood from cigar boxes and shipping crates to make highly stylized, notched pieces — most often picture frames and boxes — that are today sought after by collectors. This folk art style is called tramp art and was popular from roughly 1870 until the 1940s.
Folk art brings vibrant culture and traditions into your home. Browse an extensive collection of antique, new and vintage folk art on 1stDibs.
3
456
60
12
to
92
305
178
528
502
503
528
181
107
55
33
30
14
14
12
12
11
6
5
3
2
1
1
19
100
337
72
93
137
57
10
7
16
22
21
17
15
24
4
4
350
140
67
55
49
217
174
160
39
35
25
23
6
3
2
Style: Folk Art
Large Carved Black and Gold-Painted Sunburst
Located in New York, NY
Exuberantly carved sunburst mounted on a black roundel.
Provenance: From the Collection of Mario Buatta, New York, NY.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Vintage Men's Club Bar Plaque / Sculpture
By Craft and Folk Art Museum
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A large vintage plaque / sculpture of a women breast cast in aluminum and mounted to a thickly carved satin black wooden plaque, from a private men's club...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Aluminum
Mexican Burnished Clay Figures Folklore with Wooden Frame Folk Art Oaxaca Wall
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This Folk Art piece is a beautiful representation of the Candela festivity in Yanhuitlan, Oaxaca. A folkloric wall hanging representation of musicians, dancers, and tradition.
Artist Manuel Reyes...
Category
2010s Mexican Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Ceramic, Wood, Clay
Antique Styled Folk Art Carved and Painted Wood Figure Hanging Sheriff Study
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Dating from possibly the Victorian period, this Folk Art styled carved and hand painted wooden sculpture depicts an effigy of a Wild West Sheriff hanging with his hands behind his ba...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
Antique Carved Folk Art Wooden Wall Hanging Commemorating The Royal Mail
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large antique folk art hand carved wall hanging is unsigned but presumed to have been made in England in circa 1880 in the Victorian style. The wall sculpture commemorates the Royal Mail stagecoach which was used for long distance mail delivery in the mid-1800s. The carving is very intricately executed and depicts the Royal Mail coach...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
19c Folk Art Country Swedish Adze Carved Rosewood Tripod Table Bowl Decorative
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
Bought from an Antiques shop in Sweden, this charming, richly patinated tripod bowl table is hewn from a solid log of Rosewood - weighing in at 7kg, it's an incredibly extravagant us...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Rosewood, Oak
Pair of Scottish Ram in Polychrome Wood, 19 Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb pair of rams in polychrome carved wood from Scotland-19th century
Very elegant and unique pair of rams which are almost carved at life size which come from a Manor in Scotl...
Category
19th Century Scottish Antique Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Hardwood
Early 20th Century Hand Carved Pine German Fireman Puppet
Located in London, GB
German Fireman Puppet
We are proud to offer a wonderful example of an early 20th century German fireman puppet / Doll. Hand carved with some lovely naïve Folk Art detail including a...
Category
1920s German Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Cotton, Pine
19th Century Carved Walnut Effeminacy Male Figure
Located in London, GB
19th century carved walnut effeminacy male figure
We are proud to offer a unique and highly decorative 19th century hand carved walnut figure of an effeminacy male form. Unusual in its figurative posture and detail. This includes the figure standing in a side on pose with flirtatious gesture, a loosely draped over shoulder silk sheet, female form breasts and overly masculine facial details. This item is heavily patinated due to its age. This figure may have at some point in its lifetime have been part for a larger wall carving...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Walnut
Monumental and Unusual Folk Art Stage Coach Figure and Horses, 1927
Located in Buffalo, NY
Monumental and unusual Folk Art stage coach figure and horses, 1927. All hand executed, amazing detail, working lamps, velvet interior on coach.
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Leather, Velvet, Plaster
Large Early 20th Century Belgian Oak Folk Art Eagle Sculpture
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Early 20th century Belgian oak Folk Art eagle sculpture.
Category
1920s Belgian Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Oak
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Birdhouse
Located in Chicago, IL
A whimsical early 20th century American Folk Art purple Martin pine birdhouse with two levels, eight entrances, and a wonderfully shingled roof and weath...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Pine
Early 20th Century Scandinavian Hand Carved and Painted Figural Nutcracker
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Scandinavian Folk Art nutcracker with man in cap decoration, circa 1920-1930s. Fine expressive facial and lovely hand painted details. Very nice, vintage condition with light wear co...
Category
Early 20th Century Scandinavian Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Ship Carved Figure
Located in Nantucket, MA
Carved figure of a woman standing upright on a scrolled base. Carved from Pine with in service paint, American, circa 1850.
Category
Mid-19th Century North American Antique Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Pine
Early 19th Century Monumental Pottery Eagle Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This amazing Folk Art sculpture of 19th century sewer tile or pottery eagle was from a private collection in New England. This item is on a custom made cast...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Pottery
Memphis Style Abstract Free-Standing Welded Steel Sculpture by Jerry Dodd
By Mike Dodd
Located in Buffalo, NY
Memphis style abstract free-standing Welded steel sculpture by Jerry Dodd, his sculptural pieces are painted with enamels and are suitable for display indoors or protected areas outd...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Steel
Carved African Figural Urns, Mid-20th Century
Located in Pasadena, CA
These cups are highly decorative reproductions of Kuba Royal cups. They do not exhibit any sign of true age or use through traditional wear patterns. These w...
Category
Mid-20th Century African Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
American Folk Art Large Carved Wood Elephant or Donkey
Located in New York, NY
Large American Folk Art carved pine wood sculpture of an elephant or donkey with raised ears. Measures: 37.75" H x 31.5" W x 30.5" D.
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
German Policeman Handcarved Folkart Midcentury Fairground Figure
Located in London, GB
Midcentury fairground figure
An extraordinary handcrafted mid-20th century fairground dodgems/go cart figure in the form of a policeman. Directing traffic flo...
Category
1950s German Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Sheet Metal
Antique Folk Art Carved Wooden Sculpture of the 'Old Grand Dad' Whiskey Logo
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique Folk Art carved wooden sculpture is initialed on the base, but the artist is unknown. It is presumed this carving was done in the United States in 1945 in a Folk Art sty...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Hardwood
Folk Art Hand Carved Spruce Whimsy Chain
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Nice, whimsical Folk Art chain whittled from one continuous piece of wood (spruce, in this case). One end features a hook, the other a clasp. The wood h...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Spruce
Inuit Soapstone Sea Lion
Located in Mexico City, MX
A big Inuit soapstone sculpture depicting a sea lion. The sculpture is signed on the bottom by an unidentified artist and numbered 202266. With Canada Eskimo Art...
Category
1970s Canadian Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Soapstone
19th Century Folk Art Wartime Relationship Commemorative Plaque
Located in London, GB
19th century Folk Art Wartime relationship commemorative plaque
We are proud to offer a rare and unique commemorative wartime relationship plaque...
Category
1880s Antique Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Large Folk Art Pocket Knife Store Display
Located in Brooklyn, NY
One of a kind large scale pocket knife (24" L), likely used as a store display / sign composed of a painted and carved walnut handle / bolster wi...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Walnut, Poplar
1950s Folk Art Sculpture Group Of Drunk Swedes At Bar Scene
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
1950s Folk Art wood carving of a group of drunk Swedes at a bar scene with fish and alcohol fermentation.
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Pine
English Folk Art Church Model
Located in London, GB
Folk Art Church Model
We are proud to offer a wonderful example of a mid-20th Century folk-art church model. Built from scratch using various material...
Category
1940s British Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
19th Century Bronze Sheep Handcrafted Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century handmade bronze sheep sculpture. No signature or makers mark.
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bronze
"Saint Lucia" Early 19th Century Santos Figure Polychromed Mexico
Located in Wiscasset, ME
She is depicted holding a tray aloft with her eyes, which she gouged out in order to keep from being married off to a Pagan. Polychromed gesso with gilding. Some small bits of polyc...
Category
1830s Mexican Antique Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
2D Plywood Marionette Mannequin
Located in Hanover, MA
Peculiar Folk Art two-dimensional marionette or mannequin comprised of ten elements of cutout half inch plywood, connected with bolts and wing nuts, permitting the limbs to be moved ...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Plywood
Inuit Soapstone Seal Hunter
Located in Mexico City, MX
A Inuit carved dark green soapstone seal hunter. The sculpture is signed on the bottom by an unidentified artist.
The sculpture doesn't have the han...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Soapstone
Vintage South Seas Carved Teak Mermaid
Located in Nantucket, MA
Early vintage or antique South Seas carved teak Mermaid, circa 1920s or perhaps earlier, a hand carved upright figure holding a carved shell, with deeply carved flowers in grooved hair flowing down back, shell necklace, and scale pattern throughout her tail. The statue is weathered, has a few age cracks, and the end of the tail is broken. Mounted long ago on a late Victorian brass lamp...
Category
Early 20th Century Pacific Islands Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Teak
Mexican Burnished Clay Mother and Child Oaxacan Sculpture Mixtec Ceramic
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
Maricela Gómez López, a hardworking mother and artist portrays her life through her work. Living and growing up in Santo Domingo Yanhuitlán, a small town in central Mexico, the role ...
Category
2010s Mexican Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Ceramic, Clay
Long Folk Art Hand Carved Pine Whimsy Chain
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Wonderful, whimsical folk art chain whittled from one continuous piece of wood (pine, in this case). One end features what resembles an arrow fletching,...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Pine
Mid-20th Century Folk Art English Acrobat Toy
Located in London, GB
Mid-20th century Folk Art English acrobat toy
We are proud to offer a rare example of a mid-20th century English folk-art acrobat toy. Handmade from scrat...
Category
1940s British Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Inuit Soapstone Seal
Located in Mexico City, MX
An Inuit green seal. The piece has a signature: "Kilabuk".
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Soapstone
Whimsical Folk Art Carving
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Whimsical Folk Art carving of a man peering out the window with an exposed bottom. Signed "Clyde".
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Mexican Burnished Clay Romance Torso Heart Couple Statue Contemporary Oaxaca
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
Lovers Torso, a contemporary rustic Mexican sculpture by Manuel David Reyes. This soft piece is one-of-a-kind, made with clay and natural pigments from ...
Category
2010s Mexican Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Ceramic, Clay
19th Century Folk Art Carved Spanish Love Bird Figure
Located in London, GB
A handmade late 19th century Folk Art carved wooden love bird, with original paint still visible across sections of this item. The bird would like have been placed with the confines ...
Category
1880s Spanish Antique Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
"Woodie Wagon Brooklyn Taxi" Sculpture by Paul Jacobsen
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Custom sculpture constructed of painted wood.
Paul Jacobsen used everyday objects, such as chairs, cars, airplanes, trains, motorcycles and puzzles, all built from scratch and turns...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Antique Folk Art Wire/Wood Birdcage
Located in Sheffield, MA
The antique bird house is composed of wire and wood framing and floor. The front facade has an arched center section and side "towers." There are th...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Carved and Painted Wood Architectural Element in the Form of a Mask "Green Man"
Located in Stamford, CT
A carved and painted wood "Green Man" mask from a facade of a mansion near Seattle, late 19th century. The Green Man is a legendary being primarily interpreted as a symbol of rebir...
Category
1890s American Antique Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century Self Taught Hand Carved Bird Figure
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century self taught hand carved bird figure
We are proud to offer a wonderfully hand carved sculptural self-taught figure of a bird. This ...
Category
1920s British Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
19th Century Cobbler Trade Sign
Located in Nantucket, MA
A carved cobbler's boot-form trade sign, in old gold paint.
Carved in two pieces of pine, capped with lead,
circa 1870
Very good condition, measures: 14" x 9 ½”.
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Lead
Mexican Folk Art Wood Carving Traditional Dance Handmade Alebrije One of a Kind
By Manuel Cruz Prudencio, Ruby Fabian
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
The young dancers wear an armor of threads over their bodies, showing off an ancient indigenous art form. Colorful thread combinations characterize the huipil dress, a rectangle of cloth handwoven on a backstrap loom that dates back thousands of years in used in Zapotec culture. Through symbols in their dresses, Zapotec women wear their identity, history, culture, power, social and marital status, religion, personality, and power.
In this folkloric dance, “Flor de Piña” (Pineapple Flower), innocence surrounds young girls as they dance and hold pineapples on their shoulders as an offering. Their long braids represent purity and their bare feet symbolize their connection to the Earth.
This folkloric dance is part of the “Guelaguetza” (name in the indigenous Zapotec language) Festival Celebration. Since pre-hispanic times, the indigenous people of Oaxaca have honored the goddess of maize with this festival, performing and offering gifts to ensure a good harvest.
Husband and wife, master woodcarver Manuel Cruz and wood painter...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Acrylic, Wood
French Zinc Horse Head, circa 1930
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
French zinc horse head, circa 1930
Category
Early 20th Century European Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Zinc
Mexican Burnished Clay Woman with Child Oaxacan Sculpture Mixtec Ceramic
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This Mexican ceramic clay hand sculpture is a piece by artist Maricela Gómez López. Made with clay from Oaxaca and Zacatecas, painted with oxides from the region. Done with the hand-...
Category
2010s Mexican Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Ceramic, Clay
Amazing English Architects Model, circa 1920
Located in London, GB
Architects Model circa 1920
We are proud to offer a unique circa 1920s architects model of a timber-clad colonial style house in original paint. An a...
Category
1920s British Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century Americana Uncle Sam Lumberjack Whirligig
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Charming whirligig depicting a figure resembling Uncle Sam sawing a log mounted to a wooden base. Hand carved, painted, and assembled with applied facial details. When manually turne...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Hand Carved Wood Folk Sculpture of John Bull
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This hand carved and slight fragment of painted surface in good condition. Very little blue painted surface remaining.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Rare Italian Hand Carved Folk Art Santos Doll, circa 1840
Located in London, GB
We are proud to offer a mid-19th century hand carved figure of a Santos doll. The figure is made using pine wood and section constructed with pinned wooden...
Category
1840s Italian Antique Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Pine
Large Carved Bust of African Man
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is an exceptionally well-carved portrait bust of an African man dating to the mid-20th century. The bust is carved from a single piece of mahogany; th...
Category
Early 20th Century African Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Mahogany
Carved Stone Cockatoo Sculpture
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Carved stone cockatoo sculpture caught in the action of landing on an amethyst geode. Featuring a lofty combination of colors and textures with an unlikely life-like attention to det...
Category
20th Century Brazilian Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Crystal
Antique Thai Freestanding Red Ceremonial Drum with Reeded Accents and Round Base
Located in Yonkers, NY
A tall antique Thai freestanding ceremonial drum from the early 20th century, with red finish, reeded accents and circular base. This early 20th-century tall antique Thai ceremonial ...
Category
Early 20th Century Thai Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Larger Than Life Extravagant Folk Art Sculpture
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Outrageous larger than life piece of Folk Art painstakingly composed of found objects such as sea shells, beads, toys, vintage jewelry buttons, and bottle caps (to name a few). There...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Shell
Weathered Cast Iron Statue of a Falcon on a Gloved Hand
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Tall weathered cast iron statue of a falcon on a gloved hand
This wonderful statue has a good aged patina it shows a falcon held on a gloved hand
This piece has the most supe...
Category
1890s Antique Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Iron
Antique Vintage Multicolored Pair of Wood Carousel Horses Austria, circa 1890
Located in Vienna, AT
Antique vintage pair of carousel horses from multicolored lacquered wood Austria circa 1890.
The carousel horses feature a carved wooden white lacquered body with white lacquered iro...
Category
1890s Antique Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Iron, Sheet Metal
"Saint George slaying the dragon" by Raymond Vaillant
By Raymond Vaillant
Located in Paris, FR
This sculpture by Breton sculpter Raymond Vaillant depicts the famed Saint George slaying the dragon, thereby demolishing an evil force that ...
Category
1940s French Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Granite
Jim Rose Barn House Structure, Welded Steel Object Made with Salvaged Steel
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
This is a welded steel sculpture made by furniture creator Jim Rose. It is sustainable design created from salvaged and recycled steel panels left over from his larger projects. These sculptures reference traditional American Folk Art barn...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Steel
Folk Art sculptures and carvings for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique folk art sculptures and carvings for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage sculptures and carvings created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include folk art, decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art sculptures and carvings made in a specific country, there are North America, Europe, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original sculptures and carvings, popular names associated with this style include Mosche Bianche, Jim Rose, Nils Olsson, and Benin People. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for sculptures and carvings differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $95 and tops out at $38,000 while the average work can sell for $1,340.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Antique Mirror Wardrobe Doors
Antique Wardrobe Mirror Door
Dining Chair Cord Seat
Louis Xv Gilt Commode
Slat Seat Dining Chair
Brass And Velvet Dining Chairs
French Mahogany Display Case
Art Deco Office Desk And Chair
Flame Mahogany And Marble
Antique French Carved Commode
Double Door Hardware
Danish High Back Dining Chairs
Louis Xvi French Walnut Chest
Mid Century Cubby
Upholstered American Dining Chairs
Set Of 8 Dining Arm Chairs
Set Of Ladder Back Chairs
Antique Carved Wood Pediment